Accessories, Shoes & Lingerie

Accessories

Once you’ve found your perfect wedding dress, you may want to jazz things up a little by accessorising. And if that’s the case, then it’s time to talk accessories, shoes and lingerie!

As with many wedding related customs, some wedding accessories in which a bride may wear are based on traditions that have developed over decades. Whether you’re wearing your accessories based on tradition (such a wearing a veil, or a bridal garter), or simply to dazzle your groom, there are five golden rules that should be applied when selecting them.

The Golden Rules of Accessorising

Golden Rule number 1:

Choose your wedding dress before your accessories.
In order to ensure that your wedding accessories complement your dress, it is vital that you choose your dress before your accessories. There is no point in purchasing an old fashioned, traditional style necklace, only to discover that it doesn’t match your modern day designer gown.

Golden Rule number 2:

Don’t overdo it!
If there’s one thing that can overshadow the beauty of the bride, it’s over-accessorising. Over-accessorising may not only look out of place, but it can also detract from beauty of the gown and the bride wearing it.
If your dress is simple in nature, then yes, by all means go ahead and experiment with a few items to accompany your gown. If however, it is more elaborate, consisting of intricate detail such as extensive hand-sewn beading, then you may want to ‘dress down’ on the accessories. Perhaps a simple necklace, or a matching bracelet and earrings set, on their own, may suffice.

Golden Rule number 3:

Consider the style of your wedding and wedding gown.
When choosing your accessories, try to maintain a common theme or style. If the style of your wedding and your wedding dress are traditional in nature, ensure that your accessories complement them by following suit. Traditional accessories may include pieces with details of gold and ivory pearls, for example. On the other hand, a modern accessory may be bolder in nature with features detailing silver, crystals or rhinestones. If your dress has features including gems, stones or pearls, ensure that your accessories follow suit. Wearing crystals set in silver will most likely not complement an ivory gown with pearl detailing. On that note, traditional ivory or cream gowns will be best accompanied by ivory pearls or beads and gold undertones, whilst white gowns will go better with accessories detailing crystals, rhinestones, white pearls, and silver undertones.

Golden Rule number 4:

Consider the neckline of your gown.
Accessories will also look more in place when they follow the neckline of your wedding dress. For example, a necklace that drops down in the form of a Y or V, or heart shape will go well with a similarly shaped neckline. Fuller, bulkier pieces, or those that drop down, will best accompany a strapless gown where there is greater skin exposure. In the case of a halter neck or high neck gown, the ideal way to accessorise is with chandelier style earrings or an eye-catching headpiece or tiara.

Golden Rule number 5:

Feel comfortable.
Despite all that is listed above, possibly the most important factor to take into account is to ensure that you’re comfortable with your accessories. Find something that reflects your personal style as well as that of your gown. If it doesn’t sit properly, or is uncomfortable to wear, then don’t buy it just because the sales assistant has commented that it looks great.

There are many theories surrounding the tradition of the bridal veil. The first theory dates back to Roman times when arranged marriages were common. The bride would wear the veil in order to cover her face until the ceremony was complete. The groom would then be permitted to lift the veil in order to reveal his ‘blushing bride’ for the first time. The bride was therefore protected against the groom backing out of the wedding ceremony if he did not like what he saw.

The second theory, also dating back to Roman times, relates to a practice whereby a groom would throw a blanket over the face of his chosen bride as he captured her.
Yet another thought behind the tradition is that the veil was worn as a means of protection for the bride from evil spirits. It was assumed that if the evil spirits could not see the bride through the material, then they could not destroy her wedding day.

A fourth theory suggests that the veil was used in order to hide the bride’s blushes. The veil is therefore often referred to as a ‘blusher’ and this is where the term ‘blushing bride’ stems from.
In many weddings today, it is still customary for the groom to lift the ‘blusher’ or veil of his bride prior to the first kiss at the wedding ceremony. Times are however changing. Today, many brides choose veils that do not necessarily cover their face, and some choose not to wear one at all. It’s up to you whether or not you decide to wear a veil, however you should note that some religions do require that the bride’s face be covered during the ceremony.

When deciding upon a veil to wear, ensure that it complements the style of your wedding gown. Follow the five golden rules above and you should be fine.
You should also consider the following when selecting your veil:

• The position in which you would like your veil to sit. For example, high on the top of your head or lower, towards the bottom of your head (above a low bun, for example).
• The length of your veil. If you are particularly short in height (less than 160cm), then an elbow length veil is recommended. If, on the other hand, you are on the taller side, (greater than 168cm), then a fingertip length veil would be more likely to suit. If you’re somewhere in between, then it’s probably fine to go with either.
• Consider the detailing, if any, on the back of your gown, and the gown’s overall style. Your veil length should be cut just above or below any focal point on your dress. Also avoid ending the veil length at the waistline or bodice, as it tends to ‘cut you in half’. The veil should end either just above, or just below the waistline.
• Consider whether you wish to have any detailing on your veil. Your veil should complement the style of your gown. If your gown features detailing of crystals, for example, you may be able to have these added to your veil to match. You may also choose to have a satin or plain edge, or some other feature. Options are only limited by your imagination. Just remember that your veil should complement, accentuate and be proportional to the dress, not detract from its details.

The following list may be of assistance when deciding upon the length and style of your veil.

Blusher
A blusher is a shoulder length section of the veil that is traditionally worn over the face. This may be used to accompany either traditional or modern gowns. A blusher forms only part of the veil and is generally combined with other lengths of tulle to form a veil with various layers. The blusher is the grooms’ favourite part of the veil – the part in which he lifts to kiss his bride!

Cathedral length
Long, flowing and elegant is the cathedral length veil. Best suited to formal or traditional gowns, especially cathedral styles with trains. The cathedral length veil extends onto the floor and at least 15-30cm beyond the train of the gown.

Chapel length
The chapel style veil is approximately 2½m long and is best suited to full-length gowns and those with long sleeves.

Elbow length
An elbow length veil is the best choice to show off any detail on the back of the dress from the waist down. It best accompanies shorter gowns without trains, or those with a full skirt. It may be used in formal or semi-formal weddings.

Fingertip length
Used for either formal or semi-formal style weddings, a fingertip veil flows down from the head of the bride and ends at her fingertips. The veil is a very popular choice as it complements the majority of gowns, providing that they are longer than thigh length.

When deciding upon a tiara or headpiece, you should once again consider the five golden rules above. It may also be helpful if you have a basic idea of the hairstyle you wish to have on your wedding day.

Generally speaking, larger tiaras and headpieces will complement larger, up-style do’s and smaller pieces will go better with short hair or simpler styles. If you have very short hair, you may wish to consider a bridal headband or smaller, delicate tiara or decorative comb. There are also a great variety of pins and clips available today for shorter styles that can look absolutely beautiful. And don’t forget the ever-famous fascinator – they can look great too!

The following may be of assistance when choosing your tiara or headpiece:

Match the Style or Pattern
Select a tiara or headpiece with a similar style or pattern as your wedding gown. If your gown is made of fabric detailed with a floral pattern, then select a tiara that has details of flowers or petals to reflect the style. Modern gowns are best matched with tiaras and headpieces that have a geometric or symmetrical design.

Match the Detail
When selecting your tiara or headpiece, consider the detail of your gown. If your gown consists of crystal detailing, then choose a tiara featuring crystals. Similarly, if your gown has pearls, a tiara with pearl details will best suit. Generally speaking, Austrian crystals will complement any gown. Pearls on the other hand are best suited to gowns with accents of pearls, or harmonised with pearl jewellery.

Match the Colour
When deciding upon your tiara or headpiece, ensure that it blends well with the colour of your dress and accessories, such as jewellery. As mentioned in ‘Golden Rule number 3’, the following colours and tones work best together:
· White gowns – silver tones, crystals, rhinestones or white pearls.
· Ivory, cream or off-white gowns – gold tones and ivory pearls.

Whether or not you decide to wear gloves is once again a matter of personal preference. Bridal gloves can be a beautiful way to complement your gown, especially if you are having a formal wedding. The style of glove that you choose will be determined, once again, by the style of your wedding gown. If your gown features embellishments such as lace, pearls, crystals or beading, then you may wish to create a more sophisticated and polished look by choosing gloves with similar trimmings. You should also attempt to match the colour and fabric of your gloves with that of your dress.

In terms of length, short length gloves should accompany long sleeved gowns, and short sleeved or strapless gowns call for longer gloves. There are generally four standard lengths of bridal gloves including, opera length, elbow length, classic/standard length and shortie or wrist length. The following guide may help you to decide upon a pair of gloves that is best suited to you and your gown. 

Opera Gloves
Opera length gloves are the most formal style of bridal glove and best accompany strapless or sleeveless gowns. If your wedding is very formal then these are possibly the gloves for you. Opera length gloves extend the entire length of the arm and end at the shoulder or top of the bicep. This style of glove is fantastic if you like the look of strapless, open neck gowns, but also want to cover up a little.

Elbow Gloves
Elbow length gloves are best suited to short sleeved or off-the shoulder style gowns. This style of glove extends from the fingertip to either just above or just below the elbow. Elbow length gloves are also a very popular choice for bridesmaids. One thing to bear in mind is that this style of glove tends to draw attention to the upper arms.

Shortie / Wrist Gloves
Shortie or wrist length gloves are considered to be the most informal style of bridal gloves. Typically they end between the base of the thumb and the wrist. They best accompany mid to long sleeve gowns and offer a fresh and feminine look.

If you are undecided about wearing gloves for whatever reason, keep in mind that there are many options to choose from. Ring ceremony bridal gloves are also something to consider. These gloves are especially designed to allow the bride to receive her wedding ring from her groom without removing her gloves. You will find that these gloves usually have a slit in the ring finger portion of the glove to allow the finger to slip out from the glove without the glove having to be removed.

Gauntlet style gloves are another option, which allows your hand to be exposed, reducing many glove limitations.

Bridal Garters 

Throwing the bridal garter at the wedding reception originated in France. At the time, any form of bridal attire was considered to be a sign of luck. The bride would remove her garter and throw it to the guests in the hope that whoever caught it would be the recipient of good luck.

In Australia, and other parts of the world, this custom has undergone some adaptations and today, it is the groom who traditionally removes the garter from the bride. All of the unmarried male guests are called upon to gather around in order to catch the garter as the groom tosses it to them. It is believed that the man who catches the garter will be the next to marry.

Whether you choose to wear a garter or not, is up to you. Some brides actually wear two – one to toss away to the unmarried men and one to keep. There are many choices available ranging from basic lace or cotton style, to more elaborate pieces with intricate detailing. You may wish to choose a blue garter if you’re following the something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue tradition.

Bridal Purses 

When choosing your purse you will find that there are a variety of styles on offer, including clutch style purses, drawstring bags and tote bags to name a few.

It is once again important to follow the five golden rules of accessorising when choosing your bridal purse. Purses may be purchased from various locations or made to suit your particular needs. Fabrics may be dyed to match the colour of your gown and pearls, crystals, beads or other embellishments may be added at your request.

Although you may think that there really isn’t much to consider when choosing your wedding shoes, you may wish to think again. Believe it or not, a great deal of thought needs to be given to selecting the right wedding shoe to ensure that you are able to make it through the day on your feet.

The perfect wedding shoe is one that is comfortable. Remember that you will be on your feet for the majority of the day. Walking down the aisle, greeting guests, photos, and dancing the night away is going to clock up a few km’s.

Take the time to carefully select an appropriate style that not only complements your gown, but also leaves you free of blisters, aching feet or a case of the wedding shoe blues!

Select and purchase your shoes as soon as possible after choosing your wedding gown. It is extremely important that you shoes accompany you to your dress fittings, as it will help to determine the length of your dress.

When shopping for your shoes, it is best to leave it until the later part of the day. Generally speaking, our feet swell throughout the day as they warm up, especially in the hotter months. It is best to try your shoes on when they are at their ‘largest’, which will therefore be in the afternoon.

Ensure that you try the shoes on and have a good walk around in them. If they feel tight, loose, rub against any area of your foot, or just don’t feel right, then try a different style. If you will be wearing hosiery on your wedding day, then try your shoes on with hosiery. If possible, have a qualified assistant help you to select an appropriate style for the shape of your foot, and correctly fit these for you. This should assist in purchasing an appropriate shoe that you will be able to wear all day without feeling uncomfortable.

If your wedding gown is short in length, you may wish to choose a shoe with a higher heel. In doing so, you will create the impression of longer, leaner legs. On the other hand, you may decide upon a smaller, flatter style shoe should your gown be longer in length. Remember that the length of your dress will be affected by the height of your heel, so it is therefore important that you take your shoes along with you to your dress fittings.

Keep in mind that if you are not used to wearing high heels, your wedding day may not be the best time to experiment. In saying that however, walking in high heels is not overly difficult and really just requires some dedicated practice. For those of you whom are intimidated by the whole high heel affair, (but want to wear them for your big day), use the months leading up to your wedding to practice wearing heels.

Begin by just standing in your heels and getting used to the feel of the shoe on your foot. Take a few steps, preferably on a hard surfaced floor (soft carpet may cause you to lose your balance) and remember, when walking in heels, to point your feet directly in front of you, keeping your legs as straight as possible. Continue to walk forward and back around the room in order to gain confidence. When you have mastered the hard floor, have a go on carpeted areas, stairs and uneven surfaces. The key is to practice, practice, practice. With this in mind, you’ll soon be master of the high heel and be stepping out in style on your wedding day…fingers crossed!

In saying that however, fancy shoes with eye-catching detail often suit a simple style dress in order to dress it up a little, whilst plain shoes may look best with an elaborate gown, so as not to overshadow the detail in the dress. At the end of the day, the choice is yours. The 5 golden rules listed at the beginning of this section, may assist you when selecting a style that best suits your gown.

Generally speaking, satin shoes best suit shiny fabrics, and shoes made from crepe fabric work best with a luxe, peau-de soie or matte finish/sheen fabrics. If your dress has features of lace detailing, then you may wish to choose a lace shoe.

Alternately, you may wish to have your shoes professionally made using the same fabric as your wedding gown. This will obviously allow you to achieve the perfect match.

This is especially important given the many different shades of white and ivory of wedding gown fabrics. Another alternative is to have your shoes dyed to match the colour of your wedding gown. Ensure that you purchase shoes that are suitable for dying and, for best results, have them dyed professionally.

Generally speaking, shoes made with a leather upper and lining are more comfortable due to the fact that they conform to the shape of the foot as they are worn. This does not however mean that they have to be imported from Italy, unless of course your budget allows for that. There are many discount wedding shoe stores who offer a wide range of styles to choose from, which are both comfortable and affordable. So make sure you shop around.

Breaking in Your Wedding Shoes

In the weeks leading up to your wedding, begin to wear your shoes for a short period of time around the house. Avoid wearing them outside in order to keep them in the best condition and prevent scuffs. Gradually increase the amount of time in which you spend wearing your shoes until you feel comfortable in them, and that you’re certain you could wear them for a whole day.

Firstly, you may consider purchasing a pair of self-adhesive traction soles. These pads easily adhere to the base of the sole and add extra grip – especially useful when showing off your moves on the dance floor. Another option is to rub a coarse sheet of sandpaper over the soles of your shoes to scuff the surface. Either of these methods are very effective and will ensure that you remain upright throughout the day (at least until you hit the bubbly, that is)!

Choosing the right bridal lingerie is as important as choosing your wedding gown itself. The choices that you make when it comes to your under garments will impact the way in which your gown sits and flows from your body.

Take time to find the perfect attire that complements both your personal style and that of your gown. The advantage of choosing good lingerie is that it can enhance, lift, minimise and control areas, helping you to look and feel beautiful.

Your choice of lingerie will be dependant upon the overall style of your dress and your body shape. A simple, slinky dress will call for minimal lingerie, whilst fuller, formal gowns may require lingerie that provide lift and shape support.

Your lingerie, of course, not only serves a practical purpose, however it also has a more intimate side to it. Despite the fact that your wedding guests won’t know what’s underneath your gown, it will be judged by one important person, your new husband. For this reason, select something that is comfortable to wear, but also leaves you feeling sexy and irresistible. There are various types of lingerie to choose from, from the simplest, sexiest of bras to full figure hugging corsets. The information contained within this section should help you to choose what is best for you.

Once you have decided upon the style of your wedding gown, you can start looking for the right bra to accompany it. The bra in which you select should be comfortable, complement your gown, and make you look and feel beautiful and sexy. Ideally, an experienced and professional sales person should correctly fit you for your bra.

If possible, take along a photo of your gown, capturing its design to ensure that the appropriate style may be selected. Ultimately the bra in which you will select will be influenced by the neckline of your gown and whether it is strapless. If you are wearing a strapless gown, then you may wish to consider either a strapless bra or perhaps a bustier. A bustier may be a better alternative if lift is what you’re after – something that a strapless bra usually cannot provide. The bustier surrounds the torso and has the ability to push the breasts upwards.

As another alternative, providing that you are not overly large breasted, you may wish to choose to sacrifice a traditional style bra altogether. Many brides choose to accompany their strapless gowns with ‘breast petals’ or adhesive cups. These are especially useful if your gown is slinky or figure hugging as they allow you to be seam free. These alternatives are also ideal to wear with a halter neck dress if a halter neck style bra is not your preference.

For smaller breasted women who want to create the look of fuller, larger breasts, there are a few options. Push-up and demi style bras will help to enhance your breast shape and provide cleavage. In addition to this you may wish to purchase a pair of gel or water inserts to place in the cup of your bra. These help to achieve the appearance of fuller, larger looking breasts. If however, you’re on the larger side in the bra department, minimisers have the ability to offer you a smaller, more shapely appearance. Shop around until you find the look in which you are trying to achieve.

Keep in mind when shopping for your bridal bra, that you don’t want to spoil the line or appearance of your gown. Your lingerie should fit like a second skin and you should avoid fabrics, especially lacy ones, which show through your wedding dress fabric. Seamless undergarments are an excellent alternative as they prevent the appearance of the gown from being interrupted. Finally, ensure that the fabric of the bra is comfortable to wear, does not rub or cause itching or sweating. You will be wearing it for most of the day, so you want it to be comfortable.

Torsolettes, corselettes, and an assortment of styles of bustiers are available to women in order to provide shape, support and lift without being uncomfortable. Various new materials have also been developed, such as Lycra and Spandex, which are often used in bridal lingerie, along with flexible boning, to enhance the feminine shape.

Firstly, decide upon the colour and pattern that best suit your style and complements your gown. Ensure that you choose a pair that fit well and don’t sag or slip whilst you’re wearing them. By selecting hosiery that is of good quality, your legs should be well supported and your hosiery should be less prone to snags or ladders.

Depending on your personal style and the style of your dress, select underwear that will not interfere with the line of your gown or show through. If you have a figure hugging or slinky style gown, a g-string, boy leg or seam-free style will probably be your best choice.

Avoid lacy or patterned underwear, as it will be highly visible with this style of dress. If however, your dress is a fuller style offering more coverage, then there really are no limitations as to what you wish to wear. There are some beautiful pieces when it comes to wedding lingerie including those decorated with crystals, beading and other embellishments.

Whatever you decide, make sure that it fits you well and leaves you feeling beautiful.

In addition to the lingerie that you wear on your wedding day, you may wish to purchase something special for your wedding night and perhaps to wear on your honeymoon. From feminine to flirtatious to sexy and saucy, there are so many gorgeous items to choose from for your wedding night and honeymoon.

Depending upon how risqué you want to go, you can opt for anything from a simple, silky chemise to a sexy ensemble, which you may only find in an adults only store. Examples of the styles of lingerie in which you may wish to choose from includes:

• Baby dolls: Typically a short-styled gown with thin spaghetti straps
• Bra sets especially designed for the bride
• Camisole sets
• Chemise sets: A short slip, typically worn under a dress or other garment
• Corsets and bustiers
• G-strings and other sexy bridal underwear
• Garter sets
• Leather, vinyl and latex (if you want to be a little daring)!
• Mesh and chain-wear (getting even more risqué)
• Negligees: Typically a sheer or lacy gown
• Teddies: A chemise with attached underwear
• Teddiettes: A teddie with detachable garter set

As you can see there is so much to choose from. Whatever your choice, ensure that you select lingerie which fits well and is comfortable. Take the time to select items of good quality, but most of all have fun!